Collaborative decision-making between paramedics and CCU nurses based on 12-lead ECG telemetry expedites the delivery of thrombolysis in ST elevation myocardial infarction. Issue 6 (22nd May 2008)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McLean, S; Egan, G; Connor, P; Flapan, A D
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine journal. Volume 25:Issue 6(2008)
• Page Start: 370
• Page End: 374
• Publication Date: 2008-05-22
• Subjects: Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1136/emj.2007.052746
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-0205

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To describe a prehospital thrombolysis (PHT) and expedited inhospital thrombolysis (IHT) programme in south-east Scotland using prehospital 12-lead ECG recordings transmitted by telemetry and autonomous paramedic-administered thrombolysis with decision support being provided by coronary care nurses. Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: Three hospitals in south-east Scotland covering a population of 778 468 served by 54 ambulance vehicles. Patients: 11 840 patients who telephoned the ambulance service with "chest pain" over 20 months, during which 812 patients were admitted with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Main outcome measures: All calls and cardiac/potential cardiac calls to the ambulance service, type/time of patient presentation, symptoms/call/door-to-thrombolysis times. Results: Of the 11 840 calls to the ambulance service for chest pain over 20 months of the initiative, 60% were cardiac/potentially cardiac-related by Scottish Ambulance Service triage. ST segment elevation was present in 8% of the 5150 12-lead ECGs transmitted by paramedics to the ECG receiving station in the CCU. Over the 20 months, 812 patients were admitted to the three hospitals with STEMI and 71% received thrombolysis. Median symptom-to-thrombolysis times were 91, 148 and 184 min, respectively, in the PHT, telemetry-facilitated IHT and self-presenting IHT groups. Median call-to-needle time for the PHT group was 40 min. In 2/146 cases the cardiologists judged that the patient should not have been administered PHT. Conclusions: Based on prehospital 12-lead ECG telemetry, it is possible for paramedics and CCU nurses to conduct live reperfusion decision-making in patients with STEMI, with resultant benefits in symptoms-to-thrombolysis time.